Mulholland must continue to lead Galway renaissance, says Sammon

Former Galway football boss Liam Sammon has called for current manager Alan Mulholland to remain at the helm when his three-year term concludes this summer.

Mulholland was appointed to the position in the winter of 2011 and his time in the bainisteoir’s bib will come to an end following Galway’s exit from the All-Ireland championship.

Sammon believes it is imperative that the man who delivered All-Ireland minor and U21 glory in 2007 and 2011 continues to lead Galway’s football renaissance — the county will this Sunday return to the All-Ireland quarter-final stage following a six-year absence, while last month’s Connacht final appearance was their first since 2009.

“Of course you would hope the current management would continue into 2015,” said Sammon.

“Any time there is change it takes time for players and new management to gel. The current management are doing a very good job.

“This team is evolving. This is an ongoing process. Alan has done a very good job on them. They have brought in a lot of young blood and are developing into a very good team.”

The westerners have been branded virtual no-hopers ahead of the contest with Kerry, with Sammon pointing to the performance of midfield pair Tom Flynn and Fiontán Ó Curraoin (both aged 21) as central in Galway’s bid to overthrow the Munster champions.

“We need to get parity at least at midfield. If we were to get on top it would be a superb launchpad for our forwards. It will be a vital area.

“For James O’Donoghue a lot will depend on the service he gets because the service he got in the Munster final was excellent. If we can limit the type of ball that is going in there then we have a chance. It is almost impossible to defend against the type of ball James was being fed in the Munster final. That is why midfield is so crucial. If Kerry are dominant at midfield there will be a lot of pressure on the Galway full-back line.

“I don’t think Kerry will be overlooking Galway, especially not after they hit 4-17 last day out.

“I wouldn’t think Alan Mulholland and his team are going up there in search of simply a good performance. I would be very hopeful going up this weekend. I think we are in with a very good chance. They have prepared the team very well and they are very confident.”

Sammon added: “It suits Galway to be playing Kerry. You can be guaranteed it will be a pure game of football. There will be no swarm defences or anything like that. On top of that Galway are a team that traditionally tend to thrive in the wide open spaces of Croke Park.”